12. Isaac

ISAAC

The looks and double-takes Juno was getting were extremely irritating. Only because he wanted her to feel safe, of course. Why couldn’t an omega wear a gorgeous dress she looked poured into without attracting unwanted stares everywhere she went? Isaac felt the need to write a strongly worded letter, though he was unsure exactly to whom he would address it. Anyone with eyes, he supposed.

They were seated in the far corner of Babylon’s lush interior against a floor to ceiling window. The glittering city below put on a truly stupendous view for them. Juno had been overwhelmed by the fancy setting but also completely awestruck by each dish that came out.

He’d have to strike a better balance next time.

Turned out their initial conversation was like a business meeting, so Isaac had been entirely truthful to Hazel. Juno was both interested and not at all surprised to find that he ran the pack like a corporation, their assets tied up in a private company structure. Each member served as equal shareholders and they all contributed the same percentage of their income into a pack account. Isaac was pleased to see Juno’s determined expression. “I would want to do the same. Absolutely.”

Stimulating stuff.

But things had moved into more personal territory now.

“Nine siblings?” Juno’s eyes were wide as she reached for her wine glass.

“Yes. We were like puppies in a basket, all wriggles and teeth.”

“I can’t even imagine it. I just had my brother. Your mum must have just been constantly pregnant.”

Isaac noted the first mention of a brother and filed it away carefully. “Well, yes and no. We were all multiples. Triplets, twins then triplets again. Plus Everett makes nine.”

Juno choked slightly on her wine and Isaac handed her his napkin. “There’s…two more? Of this?” she said, her voice strangled as she gestured up and down at him. “Of Ollie? No way, you guys must be fraternal.”

He waved his hands hurriedly. “Yes, definitely. We had different fathers as well, which can happen when an omega conceives during…erm—”

“Yes of course, that’s what I figured,” Juno quickly and blessedly interrupted. “And Everett?”

“He was adopted after his parents tragically passed away when he was thirteen. I’ll let him tell you more if he wishes. But he is without a doubt my brother as well, just as Ollie is.”

It wasn’t any big drama. Isaac for some reason did not feel like discussing another man — even if it was his packmate — at this dinner right now.

Juno dabbed her napkin to her lips, her eyes darting. “Is it…common to add more people to a pack?” she asked. He could tell she was trying to keep her voice casual.

Interesting. She didn’t seem to be referring to herself. Was there someone else she was seeing at the same time? Based on what Isaac had gleaned from their brief acquaintance, this did not seem like her. “I would look at it on a case-by-case basis. It’s not something I take lightly.” He took a sip of his dark wine, studying her over the rim of his glass.

Her body crumpled slightly. “Of course. That makes sense.” She began smoothing down the already flat surface of the tablecloth with restless fingers.

Isaac reached across and gently laid his hand atop hers. “Whatever you truly want to ask, ask it. Please.”

Juno swallowed, before turning her palm upwards to cradle against his. “When I was bonded before, I was not allowed to leave the house. They would take turns watching me. But if all three were busy…” She took a deep, tremulous breath. “They would call Julian. He was a beta and they thought he was gay. Pretty sure that’s the only reason they left him alone with me.”

Juno looked up at him, her eyes luminous. “He tried to save me, Isaac. They rewarded him by taking away his family’s livelihood.” Her lids fluttered as she stared at her lap. “I never saw or heard from him again. I’ve tried to look him up online but…” Her voice trailed off as her shoulder lifted in a disheartened shrug.

She loved him. It was abundantly clear to Isaac. He fought two opposing emotions; a blind, white hot rage as small details of Juno’s abuse came to light, and an inescapable drive to wipe that desolate look on her face.

Juno came first.

“I’ll find him, Juno,” he promised her. "I have a contact who can help you. Send me everything you can remember about him. Even details you might think insignificant. I’ll put it in motion.”

Her cautious hope bloomed as such a sumptuous vanilla cream he could almost taste it. A stolen spatula, a stripe licked along it, letting the sweetness coat his tongue.

Isaac shook his head slightly, clearing it. There was still something he needed from her.

“One more thing,” he added, his voice dangerously low. “Your previous pack. I want their names.”

Juno stilled, pinned under his fierce gaze. Fuck. There had been absolutely no trace of a bark in his words yet he could still sense her capitulation.

“Juno, I’m sorry.” He grasped her other hand across the table in an attempt to recentre her. “I should have asked, not just demanded. I would never—”

“I know. I wasn’t scared just…overwhelmed, I guess? Shit, you’re potent,” she faltered, not meeting his eyes. “I know how it feels to be barked into submission and that wasn’t it.”

Rage again. This time it razed his throat with its righteous fire. He released one of her hands so he could take a large gulp of wine hoping that would douse it. It did not.

“I’ll send you their names along with Julian’s information,” Juno offered quietly and determination swelled in Isaac’s chest. “But they’re in my past now. Honestly.”

Isaac would make sure they remained there.

He asked about her classes at SCCA over a shared dessert. He was content that Juno was so caught up in talking she didn’t notice that he had saved the best parts of it for her. Isaac felt strange watching her chase the last of the dulce de leche sauce around the plate before spooning it into her mouth with a satisfied moan. It must be because he was disappointed their pleasant evening was drawing to a close.

Isaac paid and led her back to his car. One hand on the small of her back, shooting daggers at whoever dared to give her a second glance. He let her connect her phone up and play whatever she wanted at an atrociously loud volume as he drove her home.

They lingered when they reached the door of the lobby. Juno turned to him as she played with the loose strands of hair at the nape of her neck shyly. “Thank you for tonight, Isaac.”

“Of course.” He wondered if what he was about to ask next was appropriate. “Some omegas who are being courted like to be scent marked by their alphas. Makes them feel safer when they’re out and about in the world. I could do that for you if you like.” He clasped his hands behind his back to look as non-threatening as possible.

Thankfully, Juno looked relieved instead of mortally insulted. “Yes, please. If it’s not too weird for you.” She rubbed the middle of her chest and huffed. “My omega hormones are making me loopy knowing you were about to leave. I wasn’t sure why until you asked. Biology sucks sometimes.”

Isaac moved in closer to her, watching as her head instinctively lifted up towards him. The frothy, confection-laced vanilla cream was back, clouding his senses. His mouth watered as his gaze drifted down to the delicate curve of her tattooed neck. Isaac blinked furiously, forcing his focus back up towards her face, as he leaned in and pressed his stubbled cheek against hers. Caramelised dark sugar and sticky peach nectar assailed him and he had the sudden urge to lick. Which he fought valiantly because that would be completely improper.

Juno’s eyes were glassy when they separated. “Yeah…that’ll do it.”

It was actually a relief when she made a quick getaway, a mumbled goodbye and a flash of blonde hair disappearing behind a door. He would really have to do better to try and get his alpha-ness (for lack of a better word) under control next time so he wouldn’t disorient them both.